Required GPH???

jefnalyssa · 10/15/2007, 06:26 PM

I just found a new lfs. He recommended between a circulation pump and the pump from my sump to total up to 20 times the tank size. That would alieviate from putting in powerheads for water movement. He claimed hooking powerheads to a wave maker was just for appearance.

What is a good formula for the amount of gph I will need?

How much benifit is gained from a wavemaker?

Thanks,

Jeff

James77 · 10/15/2007, 06:33 PM

Amount of flow depends on what you want to keep- LPS and softies need alot less current than SPS corals. The powerheads on a wavemaker is trying to achieve more random flow as opposed to linear flow. You only need 3-5 times your tank size flowing through the sump. The rest can be achieved with powerheads or a closed loop.

NanoBen · 10/15/2007, 06:38 PM

well first of all i personally wouldnt go back to that lfs lol. like james said you only need 3-5x the amount through the sump. the rest of the flow will come from powerheads and/or a closed loop setup. i would look into what corals you have and go from there. generally a good flow would be somewhere between 15-30x. i would look into some of the technical threads about flow. im sure you will learn alot. good luck

kau_cinta_ku · 10/15/2007, 06:49 PM

you want to match the flow through the sump with what your skimmer is rated for. to much flow through the sump and your skimmer won't work very well. but i agree all the flow through your return pump is not a good idea. you want good random flow. not 20x from 1 spot.

jefnalyssa · 10/15/2007, 06:55 PM

I guess I worded it wrong. The sump pump plus a closed loop to equal 20 times tank size. Sounds like he was right?

kau_cinta_ku · 10/15/2007, 07:00 PM

well it all comes down to what you want to keep. but 20x is a good starting area. I hope you mean by using 2 diff. pumps though

coast2coast7390 · 10/15/2007, 07:00 PM

first: there is no "real" set level for anything..wether it be circulation, stocking level, lighting...and so on

BUT

there are recomended levels for everything...

so 20GPH sounds good

jefnalyssa · 10/15/2007, 07:08 PM

Yes with 2 different pumps.

Is there a big advantage to a wavemaker?

tmz · 10/15/2007, 07:46 PM

The amount of flow you wan't in your tank depends on the type of corals you wan't to keep. If you plan on sps 20x would be minimal with many doing 50x or more. But if you are doing Euphyllia,scolymia, Cynarina , Blastomossa Welsi,or Cataphylia Jardeni,s s almer lower flow is needed or at least places in tank where it is calmer.

Direct one way flow is called laminar flow and most corals don't like it. Wether you use a closed loop system as recommended by your lfs or powerheads with a wavemaker, the idea is to create turbulence to move polyps to a fro and to help corals rid themselves of slime mucuos and detrius. The turbulence you need can be created by arranging returns so the current from them crosses Heavy flow also helps keep your rocks and substrate clean and makes your system more efficent in exporting nutrients.Wavemakers can also accomplish this function by simulating tidal action one way and then the other way at selected intervals.

wooden_reefer · 10/15/2007, 09:51 PM

If you plan on having two loops, one open one closed, then the GPH of the open loop need not and likely should not be very high.

It is when you do not plan on having a separate closed loop that you need high GPH thru the sump.

Personally, I think a sump is desirable for all but the smallest tanks, so having two loops is desirable, so having high GPH thru the sump is not needed or not desirable.

I say if you have a separate closed loop (just koralia perhaps) then the flow thru the sump need not be high, 3-4X is enough. More than 10X for the closed loop.

10/15/2007, 06:26 PM	#1
jefnalyssa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reading,Pa Posts: 437	Required GPH??? I just found a new lfs. He recommended between a circulation pump and the pump from my sump to total up to 20 times the tank size. That would alieviate from putting in powerheads for water movement. He claimed hooking powerheads to a wave maker was just for appearance. What is a good formula for the amount of gph I will need? How much benifit is gained from a wavemaker? Thanks, Jeff

10/15/2007, 06:33 PM	#2
James77 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 8,158	Amount of flow depends on what you want to keep- LPS and softies need alot less current than SPS corals. The powerheads on a wavemaker is trying to achieve more random flow as opposed to linear flow. You only need 3-5 times your tank size flowing through the sump. The rest can be achieved with powerheads or a closed loop. __________________ Jim Current Tank Info: 120g Mixed Reef and 75g Freshwater

10/15/2007, 07:46 PM	#9
tmz ReefKeeping Mag staff Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: West Seneca NY Posts: 27,691	The amount of flow you wan't in your tank depends on the type of corals you wan't to keep. If you plan on sps 20x would be minimal with many doing 50x or more. But if you are doing Euphyllia,scolymia, Cynarina , Blastomossa Welsi,or Cataphylia Jardeni,s s almer lower flow is needed or at least places in tank where it is calmer. Direct one way flow is called laminar flow and most corals don't like it. Wether you use a closed loop system as recommended by your lfs or powerheads with a wavemaker, the idea is to create turbulence to move polyps to a fro and to help corals rid themselves of slime mucuos and detrius. The turbulence you need can be created by arranging returns so the current from them crosses Heavy flow also helps keep your rocks and substrate clean and makes your system more efficent in exporting nutrients.Wavemakers can also accomplish this function by simulating tidal action one way and then the other way at selected intervals. __________________ Tom Current Tank Info: Tank of the Month , November 2011 : 600gal integrated system: 3 display tanks (120 g, 90g, 89g),several frag/grow out tanks, macroalgae refugia, cryptic zones. 40+ fish, seahorses, sps,lps,leathers, zoanthidae and non photosynthetic corals.

10/15/2007, 06:38 PM	#3
NanoBen Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: SE Michigan Posts: 66	well first of all i personally wouldnt go back to that lfs lol. like james said you only need 3-5x the amount through the sump. the rest of the flow will come from powerheads and/or a closed loop setup. i would look into what corals you have and go from there. generally a good flow would be somewhere between 15-30x. i would look into some of the technical threads about flow. im sure you will learn alot. good luck

10/15/2007, 06:49 PM	#4
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	you want to match the flow through the sump with what your skimmer is rated for. to much flow through the sump and your skimmer won't work very well. but i agree all the flow through your return pump is not a good idea. you want good random flow. not 20x from 1 spot.

10/15/2007, 06:55 PM	#5
jefnalyssa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reading,Pa Posts: 437	I guess I worded it wrong. The sump pump plus a closed loop to equal 20 times tank size. Sounds like he was right?

10/15/2007, 07:00 PM	#6
kau_cinta_ku Moved On Join Date: May 2005 Location: NW Iowa Posts: 8,669	well it all comes down to what you want to keep. but 20x is a good starting area. I hope you mean by using 2 diff. pumps though

10/15/2007, 07:00 PM	#7
coast2coast7390 Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Garden Grove Posts: 3,627	first: there is no "real" set level for anything..wether it be circulation, stocking level, lighting...and so on BUT there are recomended levels for everything... so 20GPH sounds good

10/15/2007, 07:08 PM	#8
jefnalyssa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Reading,Pa Posts: 437	Yes with 2 different pumps. Is there a big advantage to a wavemaker?

10/15/2007, 09:51 PM	#10
wooden_reefer Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 4,670	If you plan on having two loops, one open one closed, then the GPH of the open loop need not and likely should not be very high. It is when you do not plan on having a separate closed loop that you need high GPH thru the sump. Personally, I think a sump is desirable for all but the smallest tanks, so having two loops is desirable, so having high GPH thru the sump is not needed or not desirable. I say if you have a separate closed loop (just koralia perhaps) then the flow thru the sump need not be high, 3-4X is enough. More than 10X for the closed loop.